Hotel Presidente La Habana Havana

... through the pouring rain in the dark in an ancient car with no windows. Then the driver turned around and offered us some of his fruit box. They are so friendly when they are not at work! (We later discovered that it wasn´t a fruit box, it was a rum box!)<br><br>Anyway, we got home safely, and full of food so we were happy. It was a crazy first day though!<br><br>Next day we spent the morning searching for the internet. Turns out only the ...

Q-ba! Cuba is one of those countries on everybody's list but somehow most never get there - so I was pretty pleased to get the chance to finally go this year. Excited even.  The trouble is that its not easy to get to. From London, with 5 airports, you won't necessarily find direct flights the day you'd like to go. We ended up flying Air France via Charles the Gaul; they even had the cheek to sign us up to their loyalty programme (I am sure I have joined several ...

... during my visit there. All the local farmers were still slowly rebuilding their livelihoods and starting the whole farming process again. He explained how the Cuban farmers had to sell the tobacco to the State and the relatively small economic returns they received for their work. In Miguel's own words, "It's a hard life". Despite all this, life carries on at the laconic pace which the guajiros are well known for. As I waved Adios to Miguel, I looked around at ...

... apparemment): " Il y a deux jours, dans un article de presse etrangere [sic] on parle de trente inventions geniales qui ont transforme le monde: disque compact, GPS [interdit a Cuba] et DVD, telephone cellulaire, fax, Internet, micro-onde, Facebook, camera digitale, email, etc,etc,etc.. [...] Ce type d'existence que promet l'imperialisme a-t-il un sens? Peut-il garantir la santé mentale et physique malgré les effets non encore connus de tant d'ondes ...

... return, but this time with delicate wrought iron twists, turns, and swirls. The one-story adobe type buildings are built up tight against one another, smooth, and painted with bright vibrant colors. The blue sea is visible in the background. The low afternoon sun washes over cobblestone streets and smooth brown skin of the handsome people leisurely walking on the same. We slowly pass a horse pulling a cart full of people, and through the bus window ...

... of Turkey, stuffed with Serrano ham and piquillo peppers, served on a bed of tropical fruits with an apple and cava sauce Veal sirloin with a red wine and mushroom sauce, potatoes roasted in olive oil and rosemary, sautéed vegetables, mixed salad with a Dijon sauce Selection of Spanish Turron Cuban coffee Apples and the twelve 'lucky' grapes. (You're supposed to chew and swallow one grape on every stroke of the chimes of midnight in order to ensure good luck for the coming ...

... by the canon. Cabana was also the fort that Che Guevara used as the headquarters for his troops after conquering Habana. That is where those on the wrong side (that is, the side of dictator Batista and the US mafia who had turned Habana into a second Las Vegas during the prohibition) were brought to trial in front of revolutionary courts. A small museum displayed artifacts the Che had used during the guerilla in the Sierra Maestra and during his stay at Cabana.

... back of the Cab (quite tricky considering the state of the roads), on arrival changed out of travel slouchy pants into jeans and met Mark in the lobby who escorted me off for my first Mojito, daquiri, etc etc etc... Managed to last till 1am (about 7am UK time) having done another bar and a salsa club before I couldn't keep my eyes open any more. so crashed to bed. Haven't worked out the phot upload bit inths internet cafe so they will have to wait.

... in particular the building&#8217;s illuminated ticker board that had been displaying messages of anti-Cuban propaganda. That at least explained all the security, but sometimes this little game of tit-for-tat is just plain comical.<br> <br>With not just Gato&#8217;s legs tired from all the day&#8217;s walking we took a taxi back towards Central Havana and after grabbing something to eat headed to the Casa de la Musica. We weren&#8217;t quite sure ...